Very good post. I'll bet that the members of this forum are as diverse as what one would expect in the population as a whole, and yet, we are all treated with equality and respect. I've not read a judgmental nor condescending post in the many hundreds of topics I've visited.
Yes, indeed; we have come a long way both on the macroscopic level of the USA population as a while, and even down to the microcosmic level of forums such as this one.
I'm proud to be a member.
pz - your observation about the forum, and our lack of "attitude" - is part of why there is an Let's Talk BBQ.
. I believe it is the quality of character possessed by each our members here that makes this forum a little different.
After all- BBQ and Outdoor Cooking should never be divisive. On the contrary, the one commonality for all mankind, no matter what ethnicity or climate they hail from is....cooking outdoors over a live fire.
Whether it is for sustenance - or ceremonial, EVERY group of mankind has a long historical connection with the practice of outdoor cooking.
Just as "There's no crying in baseball!!!
( ala Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own - 1992 ) There should be no arguing, grandstanding, arrogance, or politics in outdoor cooking. I will openly admit and profess that I am not an aethist, and as a person of faith, I do have a bias in favor of the belief that there is far more to us than a happy accident between 2 lonely cells floating in an open ocean could ever, possibly have brought about.
But - I respect those that differ, and do not ever want MY belief to interfere with anyone's enjoyment of the site. So - we respect all- regardless of their individual perspectives.
I think that we all know how to not step on toes as well
....all we have to do is just listen to what we know is right. Not to "be right"....but to "do right".